VHSL Class 3 Preview: Contenders

With the high school season getting underway, we at Prep Hoops VA will be taking a look at some previews for the season in each classification. We'll look at both state title contenders, as well as preseason All State teams. Here's a look at some of the contenders for the VHSL Class 3 classification.   Favorite: Northside   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagecGVAYb.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImagecGVAYb.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2568105" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1494115' first='Cy' last='Hardy']</figcaption></figure>   The two time defending state champs come into the season as the slight favorites because how can't they be? The Vikings have been one of the perennial powerhouses in Roanoke for years, and after the change to 6 classifications Head Coach Bill Pope went from no state championships in 20 years to 3 state championships in the past 6 years. A well coached and highly fundamental team every year, Northside has been able to make deep state tournament runs almost annually no matter how much they lose, but this year they return two all state players and a number of role players as well. 6'0” senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1494115' first='Cy' last='Hardy'] is the reigning two time Class 3 Player of the Year and is one of the most skilled and poised guards you'll come across as he has outplayed many players who are considered better prospects in the biggest games regularly, and his backcourt mate and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='1767531' first='Mykell' last='Harvey'] was also a First Team All State selection last year, providing high flying athleticism, great energy on both ends and is the perfect compliment to Hardy.   Other Contenders   Hopewell   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Spellman-Deshawn.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Spellman-Deshawn.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1922879" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 DeShawn Spellman</figcaption></figure>   The Blue Devils lost to Northside last year in the state championship, and they are back this year even stronger making it a close call for who I was going to pick as the favorite this year. Hopewell has the most talent in Class 3 as far as division one prospects are concerned, and they come back with a lot of firepower from last year while adding a super talented prospect to the list as well. They are led by four juniors that are looking to go back-to-back in the next couple of years, led by 6'7” wing DeShawn Spellman who transferred in from Landstown, and is a highly intriguing prospect with his ability to make shots from deep and use his length and athleticism on both ends of the floor. 6'9” big man [player_tooltip player_id='2459212' first='Jamese' last='Jordan'] is an absolute load in the paint to deal with, 6'0” point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2347779' first='Nick' last='Byrd'] is a true floor general who can create for himself and others and 6'5” guard [player_tooltip player_id='2624519' first='Stephon' last='Cherry'] is going to be an x-factor with his versatility and is one of the more naturally gifted players in the Richmond area.   Lake Taylor   The Titans won the state championship in 2018, and every year since seem to be in the mix when March comes around, but they just haven't been able to get over the hump in the past few years. While they lost two All State players to graduation last year, they still have plenty of talent and are highly experienced particularly in the backcourt, which usually leads to success when it comes to playoff basketball. Senior guard Aaron Elliot ran the show for their deep playoff run last year and will be leaned upon heavily this year to not only be the go-to option but make plays for others too, and his backcourt mate Triston Skipworth may only stand 5'8” but he's a deadly shooter who can make plays off the bounce too.   Spotswood   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Pacheco-Camryn-rotated-crop-2815x1849-1733082454.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Pacheco-Camryn-rotated-crop-2815x1849-1733082454.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2675564" /></a></figure>   The Trailblazers have been one of the most consistent teams in the state over the past decade, but while he's widely regarded as a great coach, Head Coach Chad Edwards hasn't been able to get over the hump and win a state championship in Class 3 yet. That all could change this year, as he has a highly experienced and talented group that has been together for years and have a lot of the intangibles you want in a team looking to go all the way. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1494113' first='Camryn' last='Pacheco'] is a four year starter and two time All State selection that is capable of taking over games and putting up huge numbers at any point, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='2242424' first='Tyler' last='Sprague'] is an absolute menace who sets the tone and make plays on both ends of the floor, and adding depth in the backcourt is senior Ja'Corey Shelton and junior [player_tooltip player_id='2548292' first='Colin' last='Regan'] as well.   Norcom   When the VHSL first moved to the 6 class system, Norcom was absolutely dominant winning three straight state championships in Class 4, but since 2018 they haven't been able to recreate that magic. After a few down years however, Head Coach Leon Goolsby may have a chance to bring another one back to Portsmouth as he has a big and athletic group that will be tough for teams to matchup with, especially with their uptempo style of play. 6'6” senior forward [player_tooltip player_id='2451946' first='Tyrell' last='Beverly'] is a late bloomer that has come into his own of the last year and his length, athleticism and skillset make him a versatile mismatch on both ends of the floor. His front court mate is 6'7” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2624511' first='Germain' last='Green'] who is following the same path and is really starting to come into his own, and that front court is going to be a nightmare to game plan for.   Western Albemarle   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ5RcAg.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ5RcAg.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2566650" /></a></figure>   Western is another team that has consistently been a contender, making deep runs and producing a lot of college players over the past few years, but haven't been able to get over the hump in the past decade or so. They are a team that is always disciplined, always has size and always plays well against high level competition, and we expect nothing less of them this year as they look to be a dark horse candidate in Class 3 this year. 6'4” junior wing [player_tooltip player_id='2561115' first='Jack' last='Castner'] is set to be a breakout player in the state this year after a big summer, as he's one of the more deadly shooters you'll come across in the state, and they have great size around him to be a very good defensive team too.   Abingdon   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage84xcyE.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImage84xcyE.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548661" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2548279' first='Aaron' last='Pomrenke']</figcaption></figure>   Abingdon came oh so close to winning a state championship in 2021 during the Covid shortened year, but despite not winning one they have become one of the top teams in SWVA and a consistent threat to make a deep run come March every year. This year's Falcons group does lose some of their top players from last year, but also return quite a bit and have a young group that could surprise a lot of people when it comes down to it. They return three of their top four scorers from last year led by 6'5” junior [player_tooltip player_id='2548279' first='Aaron' last='Pomrenke'] is set to have a breakout junior season as an elite shot maker with great size on the perimeter and was the team's leading scorer at nearly 14 per game last year, ECU baseball commit Landon Turman is a talented guard who can make plays for himself and others and junior guard Lucas Honaker is a reliable scoring threat too.

With the high school season getting underway, we at Prep Hoops VA will be taking a look at some previews for the season in each classification. We'll look at both state title contenders, as well as preseason All State teams. Here's a look at some of the contenders for the VHSL Class 3 classification.